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Dr. Simon Nicholson is an associate professor of international relations and interim associate dean for research at the American University. His work focuses on global environmental governance, global food politics, and the politics of emerging technologies, including climate engineering and carbon removal technologies.
Dr. Nicholson is co-founder of the Forum for Climate Engineering Assessment and the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy. He also led two scholarly initiatives of the School of International Service and served as founding director of American University’s cross-campus Center for Environment, Community, and Equity.
The first step in combating global warming is to stop making it worse: “Keeping the greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere is priority number one. That’s where our efforts and investments must remain first and foremost,” says Dr. Nicholson. Here are four niche research fields that aim to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Sand batteries store energy in the form of heat within sand, a readily available and low-cost material with excellent thermal properties. The process involves heating the sand using surplus renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, and then retaining the heat for extended periods with minimal energy loss. This stored thermal energy can later be converted back into electricity or used for heating purposes, making sand batteries an innovative solution for enhancing energy grid stability and efficiency.
Research into sand battery technology is still in its early stages, with promising developments emerging from pilot projects around the world. For example, Finland has been at the forefront of this innovation, deploying operational sand battery systems capable of providing heat to local energy networks. Further studies are focusing on scaling up the technology, improving energy efficiency, and integrating it seamlessly with renewable energy systems.
Researchers in advanced solar power technologies are exploring multiple innovative approaches to boost efficiency and affordability. Tandem solar cells, which stack multiple layers of light-absorbing materials, are being developed to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight and achieve higher energy conversion rates.
Similarly, perovskite-based solar cells have garnered significant attention due to their potential for low-cost production and exceptional light-harvesting properties. Scientists are investigating ways to enhance their stability and scalability for commercial use. Research is also underway to integrate these new technologies with flexible substrates, enabling solar panels to be lightweight and adaptable for diverse applications, such as wearable devices or installation on irregular surfaces.
Methane capture and utilization involve capturing methane emissions from various sources, such as landfills, agricultural operations, and industrial processes, and repurposing them as a valuable energy source. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to global warming when released into the atmosphere. By recovering and harnessing methane, it can be converted into electricity, heat, or even fuel for transportation, thereby reducing environmental impact and providing an alternative to fossil fuels.
Current research in this field focuses on enhancing methods for methane collection and improving the efficiency of its conversion. Innovative technologies, such as advanced biogas collection systems and catalytic conversion processes, are being explored to maximize methane recovery.
Additionally, scientists are studying ways to scale these technologies for broader adoption, particularly in developing regions where infrastructure constraints present challenges. Another area of interest is improving the economic feasibility of methane capture projects, ensuring they are cost-effective and accessible for a wide range of industries.
Afforestation refers to planting trees in areas that have not been previously forested, while reforestation involves restoring forests in areas where trees have been removed or degraded. Both practices play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration, the process through which trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This not only reduces the overall concentration of greenhouse gases but also fosters biodiversity, improves soil health, and prevents erosion.
Researchers are exploring advanced techniques to optimize these efforts, such as identifying tree species that grow quickly and store higher amounts of carbon. Additionally, scientists are investigating the use of drones and AI for efficient tree planting and monitoring, ensuring the survival and growth of saplings over time. Other studies focus on integrating afforestation and reforestation projects with local and indigenous communities to promote sustainable land management and socioeconomic benefits.
Simply reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is no longer enough. Scientists and engineers must also develop methods to remove large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere if there is to be a significant impact on global warming. “The carbon removal portfolio ranges from biological pathways, management of soil, and even working with marine ecosystems to draw down carbon dioxide,” comments Dr. Nicholson. This research has been fueled by significant federal investments, startup capital, and the development of the carbon credit marketplace, where companies and individuals pay to offset their carbon emissions. Here are four research fields in carbon capture and removal.
“The Biden administration has placed large bets on direct air capture and funneled billions of dollars into a handful of direct air capture hubs through the Department of Energy,” explains Dr. Nicholson. This is a technology designed to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. It uses chemical processes to capture CO₂, which is then stored or repurposed for various applications, such as in the production of synthetic fuels or long-term geological storage.
Research on direct air capture is advancing rapidly, driven by significant investments and growing awareness of its potential impact on mitigating climate change. Despite its promise, DAC faces challenges such as high energy requirements, costs, and the need for sustainable infrastructure. Innovations in materials, energy efficiency, and scalability are key focus areas in ongoing research, as scientists aim to make DAC a more affordable and widely applicable solution for large-scale carbon removal efforts. Some companies and pilot programs are already operational, providing valuable insights into the practicality and effectiveness of the technology.
Enhanced weathering is a climate change mitigation strategy that accelerates the natural process of weathering, where certain minerals react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form stable carbonate compounds. This approach involves spreading finely ground silicate rocks, such as basalt, over large areas of land or ocean surfaces. As these rocks break down, they capture CO₂ and effectively lock it away in solid or dissolved forms, reducing atmospheric carbon levels.
While the research in enhanced weathering is still in its early stages, significant efforts are being made to understand its feasibility, scalability, and potential environmental impacts. Current studies are exploring suitable rock types, optimal application methods, and the processes by which carbon is sequestered. Field trials and pilot studies are being conducted to evaluate its carbon removal efficiency and to address challenges such as energy requirements for rock grinding and potential ecological effects.
“Enhanced weathering is something that we really need to investigate, in part because of the carbon removal benefits but also for the ocean implications. Taking some of these rocks and dropping them into the ocean could start to help counteract ocean acidification and also have other potential benefits that need to be explored at a much greater scale,” says Nicholson.
Biological carbon sequestration refers to the process by which living organisms, such as plants, algae, and microorganisms, capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process occurs naturally through photosynthesis, where plants absorb CO₂ and convert it into organic matter stored in their biomass, such as roots, stems, leaves, and soil. Forests, wetlands, grasslands, and marine ecosystems like seagrass meadows and mangroves are particularly efficient at sequestering carbon over long periods.
Understanding and enhancing biological carbon sequestration’s capacity to combat climate change is the primary research focus. Efforts include studying reforestation and afforestation projects, improving soil carbon storage through regenerative agricultural practices, and leveraging blue carbon ecosystems in coastal environments. Scientists are also exploring genetic and ecological interventions to increase the carbon uptake efficiency of plants and microorganisms. While this approach offers significant potential, ongoing studies aim to address challenges such as land use competition, biodiversity impacts, and carbon storage durability to maximize its effectiveness as a sustainable climate solution.
Direct ocean capture is an innovative approach to carbon dioxide removal that focuses on extracting CO₂ directly from seawater. Since the ocean absorbs around 25 percent of the CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere each year, it serves as one of the largest carbon reservoirs on Earth. The process utilizes chemical or electrochemical techniques to separate CO₂ molecules from seawater, effectively lowering the concentration of carbon dioxide in the ocean. This enhances the ocean’s capacity to absorb more CO₂ from the atmosphere, creating a cycle that aids in reducing overall greenhouse gas levels. Once removed, the captured CO₂ can then be stored permanently or repurposed for industrial uses, such as producing sustainable fuels or materials.
Research on direct ocean capture is still in its early stages, but significant strides are being made to optimize its efficiency and scalability. Scientists are exploring advanced materials, such as specialized membranes and adsorbents, to improve CO₂ extraction processes.
Additionally, experimental systems are being designed to integrate renewable energy sources to power the technology, thereby minimizing its environmental footprint. Researchers are also investigating the ecological impacts of altering CO₂ levels in seawater to ensure the process does not disrupt marine ecosystems. Collaborations between academic institutions, private companies, and government initiatives are paving the way for pilot projects and prototypes that aim to validate the viability of direct ocean capture as a key tool in addressing climate change.
According to Dr. Nicholson, many engineering research areas are still largely speculative. This does not mean these areas aren’t viable. It just means there is still much research to be done as the efficacy, safety, and cost have not been determined. Here are two areas of engineering research that can help mitigate climate change that fit this description:
Solar reflection engineering, often referred to as Solar Radiation Management (SRM), is a form of geoengineering that aims to mitigate the effects of climate change by reflecting a portion of the sun’s energy back into space. This innovative approach works to reduce global temperatures and counteract the warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Techniques under solar reflection engineering include deploying aerosols into the upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight, creating reflective surfaces on buildings, and increasing the reflectivity of clouds through marine cloud brightening.
Research in solar reflection engineering is still in its early phases, with studies actively exploring its technical feasibility, potential impact, and the risks associated with large-scale implementations. Institutions such as Harvard University and leading climate research organizations are spearheading investigations into SRM’s effectiveness and possible side effects, including impacts on weather patterns, ecosystems, and global water cycles. International collaborations are examining governance frameworks and ethical considerations surrounding the deployment of solar reflection technologies.
Artificial photosynthesis is a process that mimics the natural photosynthesis performed by plants to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy-rich compounds. Utilizing advanced materials and techniques, researchers have developed systems that replicate this process to produce sustainable fuels such as hydrogen or methanol. These fuels can serve as alternatives to fossil fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions when adopted at scale.
This technology holds great promise in combating climate change by addressing the dual challenge of renewable energy production and carbon reduction. By capturing and utilizing CO₂ from the atmosphere, it contributes to lowering global carbon levels while generating clean energy. Furthermore, the ability to store solar energy in chemical form enables a more stable and reliable energy supply, even when sunlight is unavailable. Research into artificial photosynthesis is ongoing and gaining momentum. Countries such as Japan, Germany, and the United States are investing in dedicated initiatives and collaborations among universities, governmental agencies, and private industries. Institutions like the California Institute of Technology and Japan’s RIKEN are key players in advancing the technology. While significant progress has been made, further breakthroughs are needed to scale the technology for commercial applications and achieve meaningful climate impact.
With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has interviewed many engineering experts on a range of subjects, including geoengineering.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
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